 |
I truly have a love/hate relationship with shrinkage. I expect it and embrace it. I also get tired of it from time to time because I have MAJOR shrinkage with my hair type. Way more than my sister and my daughter. (sigh). It is what it is.
Despite that I know I’d rather deal with shrinkage than dealing with methods to fight it. Don’t have the time nor do I feel like dealing with all that. I love the wash and go. It’s my staple style that keeps me happy so when I came across this article on The Coil Review I just had to share.
First ask yourself, what is shrinkage? In a nutshell, it is our hairs natural response to moisture. It’s our hair reverting back to its natural state when it is wet. Without a doubt, moisture is the best thing for natural hair and water is the best moisturizer. As a result of shrinkage, our hair is much more versatile. Let’s take a moment and look at some of the benefits:
- Our hair retains more of its curl pattern
- It helps with shaping
- It makes the hair appear fuller
- Encourages moisture retention
So, while we want bigger and better curls, we really need to look at the benefits of shrinkage and all it truly has to offer.
Catina Sinches
 |
| (origin) |
So, how do you feel about it Naturals? Are you convinced? I do love the fullness I have with my shrinkage and I‘ve got really fine hair so this is one way for me to achieve it. Is showing your length everything to you? If so then shrinkage will be bothersome but if not then just appreciate all the wonderful things it actually does for our tresses.
Love and embrace our tresses Naturals,
Sabrina
I've been natural for 4 years and I also have a love/hate relationship with shrinkage. I have 3 hair types, and my hair shrinks the most in the middle – making me look like I have a mullet, lol. Thank God for bantu knots and twistouts for stretching my hair out a little bit before washing my hair again. I mainly care about the health of my hair, but it sucks when my shoulder length hair looks like a TWA when wet and I can't do a puff on wash day.
Even though I complain, I can say that I'm thankful for the benefits of shrinkage and being Natural! 🙂
I can see why you have a love/hate relationship. A mullet? LOL! I can feel your pain. At least you've found a solution to allow you to stretch your hair and not use heat. You are not alone in your struggle. I do too since my shrinkage makes my hair which is past my shoulders seem like a TWA as well. I'm not willing to straighten my hair to show the length so I suffer in silence. One of the downfalls to being natural but there are so few we can manage.
Thanks for sharing.
This is definitely my hair problem I had my hair flat ironed a few years ago to go to a wedding and it was 100% degrees at a night. I had part straight hair and afro puff on the other side. I just went into the bathroom and wet my whole head. The shrinkage was horrible after that I said no more flat ironing for me I have to deal with too much shrinkage with this TWA I almost look bald. I too suffer in silence until I just wear hats in the winter and cringe when the summer comes.:) lol
Yikes,I feel your pain! Banding is one way to fight it but sometimes we gotta accept what we have and work with it. Thanks for sharing.
I definitely accept and embrace my daughters shrinkage… her hair doesn't shrink a whole lot, sometimes I wish it did, like you said it makes it appear fuller! You can always stretch the hair.. but you can't really make it shrink up anymore that it does naturally.
I agree. Wavy girls wish they had this kind of shrinkage since our curls/coils/kinks are so tight and full. Gotta look at the glass half full. Thanks for sharing.
Wow. Her hair shrunk about 50%. I don't get as much shrinkage unless I encourage it with a product (Only Curl Enhancing Smoothie has shrunking me up to nice big hair). However, I prefer to show off my length from time to time so it's a happy medium
Some deal with tons of shrinkage and it can get you a little down but the plus is all the fullness. Now that I've embraced the CGM I get even MORE shrinkage but tons more fullness. Thanks for sharing.
I really log your bloggin. I normally don't give them the time of day but you're very interesting! Thank you
*love*
Thank you so much! I appreciate your words and hope to keep you interested and tuned in.
Great post Sabrina. I love that you addressed this issue and to know that this love/hate thing that goes on with shrinkage is something that many naturals may go thru, not just me!!!! 🙂
I don't think I dislike the shrinkage as much as I used to b/c I'm learning ways to stretch may hair and get a more length and then when I'm ready for the fullness I can go back to that. I'm beginning to really, really value the versatility of our natural hair.
Thank you Deidra. Yes natural hair has its share of problems but nothing that should stop anyone from enjoying and learning on their natural hair journey. The longer you stay natural the more you learn how to work with those gorgeous tresses and appreciate them.
Great post! It really is a love hate relationship 🙂
Yes, some days we are in love and some days I want to scream!! Thanks for commenting.
Good post for getting a discussion going. So, let me weigh in. No love hate relationship here. It just is what it is and I tend to let my hair shrink to its heart content. Why fight a fight you just can't win? . . . plus, the shrinkage is an expression of your hair's good health.
So, shrink on, my hair, shrink on!
I love it! Your take on it is awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Love/hate relationship over here. But I adore my shrinkage at times. Especially on days when I dred doing my hair. GREAT POST girly!!
Thanks love.
Shrinkage is cool. Women who that the most beautiful hair in the world, in my opinion 😉 One day long, another day, curly, straight, short, twists…the possibilities are endless 😀